IMDb viewers have already picked their favorites — voting results reveal the best international series from the first half of 2025. The rankings include both fresh hits and beloved returning shows with new seasons.
I've selected the 5 most compelling ones — the absolute must-watches you can't afford to miss.
"When Life Gives You Tangerines" (Netflix, South Korea)
A gentle, heartfelt, touching story about the life of Ae Sun, a poor girl from Jeju Island who dreams of becoming a poet, and Kwan Sik, who loves her and stays by her side throughout life.Comparisons to the cult classic "Reply 1988" aren't accidental — there's the same warmth, attention to detail, and deeply developed characters.

Source:
imdb.com
"Invincible" (Amazon Prime Video, USA)
The third season of this superhero animated series (which ran from February to March 2025) is back in the top spots. And rightfully so. The story of Mark Grayson, son of Earth's most powerful superhero, continues to hook viewers with unexpected depth.This isn't just battles and flying — it's coming-of-age, responsibility, and moral dilemmas served through a sci-fi lens. Voice cast includes Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, J.K. Simmons.

Source:
imdb.com
"Andor" (Disney+, USA)
A Star Wars universe series that's not about Jedi, but about ordinary people.Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), a small-time thief, gets pulled into the fight against the Empire during the formation of the Resistance. The plot unfolds over five years leading up to the events of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016).

Source:
imdb.com
"Severance" (Apple TV+, USA)
What if you could split your memory in half — so your work self knows nothing about your personal life, and your personal self knows nothing about work?Lumon Corporation implements this technology, and Mark (Adam Scott) finds himself torn between two realities. A stylish, unsettling, hypnotic thriller about how work can consume everything.

Source:
imdb.com
"Department Q" (BBC, UK)
A British detective series directed by Scott Frank, starring Matthew Goode as the cold and traumatized detective Carl Mørck.
Source:
imdb.com
Subtle atmosphere, psychological drama, and dark aesthetics in the spirit of the best Scandinavian noir. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we told you about six movies that men secretly watch behind their wives' backs.